WAKE UP, AMERICA!

Because I didn’t want to sound like I was just ranting about the current political situation without offering any solutions, I haven’t posted anything in months. But the time for silence has long since passed.

For the last year or so I’ve careened between anger, depression, embarrassment, shame, and exhaustion every time I turn on the news.

I’m angry when I see crying kids, torn from their parents at the border, shipped off to detention camps for who knows how long. Some may never see their families again.

Furious at those who condone this kind of cruelty.

Outraged by those who claim to be Christian yet remain silent or worse yet, promote this as somehow being “biblical.”

WAKE UP, AMERICA and do the right thing.

Stand up and speak out for those who have no voice.

Write letters.

Make phone calls.

Show up.

Demand answers from those in charge.

Call attention to the harm this appalling policy is doing to innocent kids and their families.

Our democracy is being sliced and diced,

the bits and pieces so stealthily eroded

that we almost don’t notice what we’re losing.

Voting rights, civil rights, workers’ rights are under attack.

And instead of creating a bulwark, too many of our elected officials are eager to jump right in and carve off another piece of our Constitution, to bend the rule of law to suit themselves.

So yeah, I’m depressed. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. And neither should you.

How do we protect our democracy?

WAKE UP, AMERICA — AND VOTE.

Pay attention to what the candidates say.

But don’t just listen to their words, look closely at their records.

Stay informed.

Work for candidates who support your values.

Provide rides to the polls to make sure more people vote.

And make sure you cast your vote in every single election.

Never, ever underestimate the power of your voice and your vote!

I’m embarrassed by the way Trump insults our allies while cozying up to brutal dictators and authoritarians like Kim Jung Un and Vladimir Putin.

Embarrassed by the way he excuses human rights abuses around the world while encouraging human rights abuses here at home.

Disgusted by the way he casually dismisses Russian interference in our elections instead of working like crazy to prevent this from ever happening again.

I’m exhausted by the daily assaults on integrity by this President and his team.

Exhausted by a man who discards honesty and accountability as inconvenient.

Tired of his lack of compassion for the poor, the sick, the elderly.

Discouraged by a leader who lacks common decency.

Now is the time to push back.

Hard.

WAKE UP, AMERICA

and make some noise if you’re worried about the direction we’re headed.

Ask your senators and representatives what they plan to do about this.

And don’t let them off the hook with vague, weak half-answers.

Hold them accountable and keep asking questions until you get answers.

I’m ashamed of the racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and bigotry proudly raising its ugly head and spreading like a cancer across this nation.

It’s beyond disturbing to have a leader who uses his office as a weapon that pits his base against everyone else instead of trying to bring the country together.

I’m disgusted by the never-ending stream of lying, bullying, and intimidation that defines the Trump presidency.

This emboldens people who feel threatened by those who don’t look, love, or believe just like them. It gives them permission to behave in despicable ways. “If the President does it, so can I.”

I worry about having a man in the Oval Office

who continually attacks the free press

as the “enemy of the people” and “fake news.”

WAKE UP, AMERICA!

A free press is a crucial underpinning of our democracy.

A President who attacks journalists is a danger to all of us.

We should ALL be worried.

Support the free press.

Use your critical thinking skills.

Some outlets are notoriously biased. You know this so get your news from several mainstream sources, instead of just one.

Be skeptical of “news” on Facebook. By now everyone should realize that many of these sources are actually fake news that originates in Russia and with far right extremist groups.

I know that American Dream has never been fully realized for all of us,

but the potential and the promise of that hope still lives on.

It’s going to take work, lots of it, to grow into the kind of country we aspire to become.

But we can aim higher. We can do better.

Working together we can build an America of opportunity and inclusiveness for all.

We can find common ground among all the diverse groups, opinions, and beliefs instead of playing into the hands of those who wish to irreparably divide us.

It’s time to roll up our collective sleeves, talk with instead of at each other, and collaborate to make the American Dream accessible to all.

That’s how we WAKE UP, AMERICA.

One final thought. . .

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m just one person. I can’t make any difference.”

Yes, you can. Yes, I can. Yes, we all can. One person’s actions might seem small and insignificant but collectively we are a growing powerhouse of positive change.

Each of us, working independently and collaboratively, can make a difference. This can still be turned around if enough of us are willing to stand up and speak out.

Talk to others about your concerns. Share your ideas about how to resist the destruction of our democracy. Your voice matters.

Don’t give in to despair. Do your part to make your community a better place for everyone. Your actions matter.